Photoelectric switch

ABSTRACT

In a first display mode, a threshold value is numerically displayed on a first display section and the current light reception amount (current value) is numerically displayed on a second display section. In a second display mode, the tolerance value is numerically displayed on the first display section and the current light reception amount is numerically displayed on the second display section. To switch from the first display mode to the second display mode, a display mode change key can be operated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No.10/055,033 filed on Jan. 25, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,523.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a photoelectric switch, and in particular to aphotoelectric switch of a dual display type comprising two displaysections.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A photoelectric switch is frequently used to detect the presence orabsence of a detected object using light. One of the known photoelectricswitches comprises a display section, for example, those disclosed inJapanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei. 7-92266 and JapanesePatent Unexamined Publication No. Hei. 9-252242. According to this kindof photoelectric switch, the current light reception amount can bedisplayed on the display section. In addition, the setup threshold valuecan also be numerically displayed on the display section. Therefore,while the displayed threshold value is visually checked, the thresholdvalue can be finely adjusted.

A photoelectric switch of a dual display type provided with two displaysections has also been proposed. In the photoelectric switch comprisingthe two display sections in the related art, a first display mode, wherea first display information (a current light reception amount and athreshold value) is displayed on the two display sections, and a seconddisplay mode, where a second display information (a tolerance value anda threshold value) is displayed on the two display sections, can beswitched (selected), as shown in FIG. 13. When the first display mode isselected, a current light reception amount is numerically displayed onthe first display section and a threshold value is numerically displayedon the second display section. When the second display mode is selected,a tolerance value is displayed on the first display section and thethreshold value is numerically displayed on the second display section.The tolerance value can be defined by the following expression:Tolerance=current light reception amount/threshold value

According to the photoelectric switch of the dual display type, thethreshold value is numerically displayed on the second display sectionno matter which display mode is selected, so that while the numericchange in the threshold value is visually checked, the threshold valuecan be finely adjusted.

However, when the threshold value is finely adjusted in such anenvironment where the presence or absence of a detected object isdetected under a small threshold value, if on the second display mode,the threshold value is changed while the tolerance value, namely, therelative value of the light reception amount to the threshold value isseen, a large value is displayed as the tolerance value even if thelight reception amount is small. Therefore, the photoelectric switchreaches its performance limit because of, for example, a poor detectionenvironment, etc. Thus, it is feared that the worker may be confidentthat the threshold value is correctly set by seeing only the tolerancevalue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a photoelectricswitch that enables the operator not only to finely adjust a thresholdvalue appropriately, but also to be prompted to reassess the detectionenvironment.

The above-mentioned object and other objects of the invention can beachieved by a photoelectric switch, according to the invention,comprising: a first display section and a second display section, fordisplaying one of a first display information and a second displayinformation, wherein the first display information has a threshold valuedisplayed on the first display section and a current light receptionamount displayed on the second display section, and the second displayinformation has a tolerance value displayed on the first display sectionand the current light reception amount displayed on the second displaysection.

Using a photoelectric switch comprising two display sections, theinventor of the application examined what contents should be displayedmost effectively on the first and second display sections.

It is true that adjusting the threshold value while making a comparisonbetween the threshold value and the tolerance value as in the relatedart provides a feeling of safety because the worker can adjust thethreshold value while visually checking the numeric value of thethreshold value to be changed. However, this ability is not verysignificant. To change the threshold value, it is important to correctlyadjust the threshold value rather than to know the numeric value of thethreshold value. Therefore, if the tolerance value is observed apartfrom insistence of displaying the threshold value, originally thethreshold value itself is contained in the tolerance as a parameter.Therefore, if the threshold value is adjusted while a comparison is madebetween the tolerance value (containing the threshold value as aparameter) and the current light reception amount, adjustment of thethreshold value is not hindered. When the current light reception amountis extremely small, even if the tolerance is large, the operator can begiven a chance to examine why the light reception amount is so small.

Thus, while adjusting the threshold value, the operator can reassess thedetection environment to, for example, determine whether or not properlight is being applied to the detected object, and whether or not dustis being deposited on the light reception element or the lighttransmission element of the photoelectric switch, etc.

For example, if the first or second display section is implemented astwo-color LEDs, when the photoelectric switch is close to theperformance limit thereof, such as when the tolerance is large and thelight reception amount is extremely small, then the first or seconddisplay section may be displayed in a different color from the normalcolor so as to prompt the worker to reassess the detection environment.

The maximum value of the light reception amount may be displayed on oneof the two display sections and the minimum value of the light receptionamount may be displayed on the other at the same time. In so doing, theworker can know whether or not the light reception amount, namely, thedetection amount difference (the difference between the maximum valueand the minimum value) is sufficient for detecting the presence orabsence of a detected object if the detected object moves at a highspeed in the detection area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and features of the present invention willbe clearly understood from the following description with respect to thepreferred embodiment thereof when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and diagrams, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an integral-type photoelectric switchaccording to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the photoelectric switch in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the photoelectric switch in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram showing display modes in the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart to show the display mode changing process in thefirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a photoelectric switch according to asecond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the photoelectric switch in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a separate-type photoelectric switch ofa third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a head unit showing a modified exampleof the photoelectric switch in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a transmission-type photoelectricswitch;

FIG. 11 is a schematic flow diagram showing the fact that the displaymode in display sections can be changed;

FIG. 12 is a front view showing an example of display in a bar formusing longitudinal segments at upper and lower positions ofseven-segment units placed side by side; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the contents displayed on aphotoelectric switch comprising two display sections in the related art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiments ofthe invention are shown.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a photoelectric switch according to a firstembodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thephotoelectric switch. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the photoelectric switch.A photoelectric switch 100 shown in the figures is a so-calledreflection-type photoelectric switch for emitting light to a detectedobject and receiving its reflected light. The photoelectric switch 100is also an integral-type photoelectric switch comprising a lightemission element and a light reception element placed on a main unitwhich also includes an amplifier, a CPU, and the like.

The photoelectric switch 100 has a narrow and comparatively elongatedbox-like casing 11. The casing 11 contains a light emission element 12and a light reception element 13, and optical fibers 14 and 15 facingboth the elements 12 and 13 (see FIG. 3). The optical fibers 14 and 15extend to the outside from one end face of the casing 11. Power supplyto and output from the photoelectric switch 100 are performed through acable 16 (see FIG. 1). The cable 16 extends from the other end face ofthe casing 11.

The casing 11 has a comparatively elongated and roughly rectangular topface 11 a. As best shown in FIG. 2, first and second display sections 17and 18 are placed adjacent in a side by side fashion in the lengthwisedirection of the top face 11 a of the casing 11 on the same plane of thetop face 11 a. As seen in FIG. 2, the width of the casing 11 is almostthe same width as the first and second display sections 17, 18 (the upand down directions in FIG. 2) thereof. Each of the first and seconddisplay sections 17 and 18 has four subsections placed adjacent in aside by side fashion in the lengthwise direction of the top face 11 a ofthe casing 11. Each subsection is implemented as a seven-segment LED.That is, each of the first and second display sections 17 and 18 candisplay four numbers or alphanumeric characters side by side. Therefore,for example, when a numeric value is displayed on the first or seconddisplay sections 17 or 18, a four-digit numeric value can be displayed.The seven-segment LED may be implemented as a single-color LED or as atwo-color LED. The first or second display sections 17 or 18 may beimplemented as a monochrome or as a color liquid crystal display (LCD).

The casing 11 has on the top face 11 a, an output logic switch 19, anoutput on/off indicator 20, a swing-type threshold value adjustmentswitch (or up/down key) 21, a threshold value set switch (or key) 22,and a display mode change key 23 (simply called the M key). A one-waydraw lid 24 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the other end of the top face 11a of the casing 11 via a pivot connection. The top face 11 a can becovered by the lid 24.

Placement of the three switches or keys on the casing 11 will bediscussed in detail. The threshold value set key 22 is placed at one endpart of the casing 11 in the lengthwise direction thereof. On the otherhand, the up/down key 21 and the M key 23 are placed at the other endpart of the casing 11 in the lengthwise direction thereof. That is,relative to the two display sections 17 and 18 placed adjacent to oneanother in a side by side fashion, the threshold value set key 22 isplaced on one side (left of the first display section 17), and theup/down key 21 and the M key 23 are placed on the other side (right ofthe second display section 18). The up/down key 21 is placed adjacent tothe second display section 18 on the right. The M key 23 is placed atthe right end of the casing away from the second display section 18.

Thus, the two left and right display sections 17 and 18 are placedadjacent to one another in a side by side fashion, so that twoinformation pieces such as the threshold value, the light receptionamount, etc., can be displayed side by side as described later. Thus theuser can read the two information pieces without moving his or her gaze.On the narrow top face 11 a of the casing 11 of the embodiment, thethreshold value set switch (or key) 22 is placed on one side and thethreshold value adjustment switch (up/down key) 21 is placed on theother side with the first and second display sections 17 and 18 placedside by side therebetween. Therefore, the part for setting the thresholdvalue (the left part of the first display section 17 where the thresholdvalue set key 22 is placed) and the part for adjusting the thresholdvalue (the right part of the second display section 18 where the up/downkey 21 is placed) are spaced a large distance from each other. Thus,there is no fear of pressing the wrong key or switch by mistake such aswhen one key or switch is pressed in the case where the keys or switches21 and 22 are placed adjacent to each other.

Likewise, the threshold value set key 22 and the mode change switch (orM key) 23 involved in two different operation determinations are placeda large distance from each other with the display sections 17 and 18therebetween. Thus there is no fear of erroneously operating the keys orswitches 22 and 23.

The output on/off indicator 20 is turned on or off when indicating anoutput state of detecting the presence or absence of a detected object T(see FIG. 3) from the relationship between the light reception amountand the threshold value. The logic (turning on or off when the output ison) of the relationship between turning on or off of the output on/offindicator 20 and the output state can be changed by operating the outputlogic switch 19. The up/down key 21 is used to finely adjust thethreshold value as is described later. One side or the other side of theswing-type up/down key 21 is selectively pressed, whereby the thresholdvalue can be adjusted.

The threshold value set key 22 is used to automatically set a thresholdvalue. That is, if the threshold value set key 22 is pressed with adetected object T (see FIG. 3) placed in a detection area and is thenpressed again with the detected object T removed from the detectionarea, the value between the light reception amount when the detectedobject T exists and that when the detected object T is removed isautomatically set as a threshold value. The setup threshold value isdisplayed on the first display section 17 or the second display section18, as described later in more detail. The M key 23 is used to switchthe display mode of the first and second display sections 17 and 18, asdescribed later in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram to show a whole outline of the photoelectricswitch 100. The photoelectric switch 100 has a drive circuit 30, aphotodiode 31 for monitoring, a light reception circuit 32, an A/Dconverter 33, a gate array or control circuit 34, and an output circuit35. The drive circuit 30 causes the light emission element 12 made of aphotodiode, etc., for example, to emit light. The light receptioncircuit 32 is connected to the light reception element 13 made of aphotodiode, etc. The A/D converter 33 converts an output signal from thelight reception circuit 32 from an analog form into a digital form. Thegate array or control circuit 34 controls the first and second displaysections 17 and 18. The output circuit 35 sends a signal from thecontrol circuit 34 to the outside. Signals from an operation section 36containing the switches 21 to 23 such as the threshold value adjustmentswitch and the display mode change switch previously described are inputto the control circuit 34.

As already known, the photoelectric switch 100 compares the amount oflight received by the light reception element 13 with a threshold value.Then the photoelectric switch 100 detects the presence or absence of thedetected object T depending on the larger-than or less-than relationshiptherebetween, and outputs the result. For example, the current amount oflight received by the light reception element 13 and the threshold valueset to detect the presence or absence of the detected object T aredisplayed on the first and second display sections 17 and 18 describedabove. Whether the current light reception amount is to be displayed onthe first display section 17 or the second display section 18 isarbitrary. That is, the current light reception amount is displayed oneither the left and right display sections 17 and 18 and the thresholdvalue is displayed on the other one. In the embodiment, the thresholdvalue is displayed on the first display section 17 and the current lightreception amount is displayed on the second display section 18.

FIG. 4 is a drawing to describe how to change the display mode of thefirst and second display sections 17 and 18 on the left and right fromthe first display mode to the fifth display mode, in order, as the M key23 is operated.

First Display Mode

When the first display mode is selected, a first display information(threshold value and current light reception amount) is displayed on thefirst and second display sections. That is, in the first display mode,the threshold value is numerically displayed on the first displaysection 17 on the left, and the current light reception amount (currentvalue) is numerically displayed on the second display section 18 on theright.

Second Display Mode

When the second display mode is selected, a second display information(the tolerance value and the current light reception amount) isdisplayed on the first and second display sections. That is, in thesecond display mode, the tolerance value is numerically displayed on thefirst display section 17 on the left, and the current light receptionamount is numerically displayed on the second display section 18. Aspreviously described, the tolerance value refers to a relative value ofthe current light reception amount to the threshold value and can bedefined by the following expression:Tolerance=current light reception amount/threshold value

The tolerance is displayed as a percentage on the second display mode.That is, the tolerance displayed on the first display section 17 can berepresented by the following expression:Tolerance (%)=(current light reception amount/threshold value)×100

To point out explicitly that the numeric value (tolerance) in the firstdisplay section 17 is displayed as a percentage, the numeric value isfollowed by the letter “P” meaning percentage in the first displaysection 17 for the second display mode.

Third Display Mode

When the third display mode is selected, a third display information(tolerance value in bar form and current light reception amount) isdisplayed on the first and second display sections. That is, in thethird display mode, the tolerance value is displayed on the firstdisplay section 17 on the left in a bar form, and the current lightreception amount is numerically displayed on the second display section18 on the right. As for the specific bar display in the first displaysection 17, seven-segment units, each of which includes four segmentsfor displaying the part in the longitudinal direction relative to thedisplay section and three segments for displaying the part in thelateral direction, are used. The upper two segments of the four segmentsforming the part in the longitudinal direction relative to the firstdisplay section 17 are used as the bar form, whereby a bar-form displayis produced. In the embodiment, the first display section 17 is made upof four seven-segment units and thus a total of eight segments arrangedin the lateral direction can be used to produce a bar-form display withthe right segment as the origin. Further, in the embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, the lower two segments of the four segments forming the part inthe longitudinal direction relative to the first display section 17 areused to display the threshold level, and the magnitude of the displayedtolerance relative to the setup threshold value can be roughlyunderstood. If the threshold value is adjusted or changed, the positionrepresenting the position of the threshold value on the third displaymode does not change (fixed roughly to the center position in thelateral direction of the first display section 17) and the display ofthe tolerance value relative to the threshold value changes.

Fourth Display Mode

When the fourth display mode is selected, a fourth display information(maximum value and minimum value of light reception amounts) isdisplayed on the first and second display sections. That is, in thefourth display mode, the maximum value and the minimum value of lightreception amounts within a given time period are displayed on the firstdisplay section 17 and the second display section 18, respectively. Onthe fourth display mode shown in FIG. 4, “PhLd” in the first displaysection 17 on the left is short for Peak Hold, namely, this means themaximum value. “bhLd” in the second display section 18 on the right isshort for Bottom Hold, namely, this means the minimum value.

On the fourth display mode, first the character strings “PhLd” and“bhLd” are displayed only for about 0.25 seconds in the first and seconddisplay sections 17 and 18, and then the displays are automaticallyswitched. Then the numeric value of the maximum value is displayed onthe first display section 17 on the left and the numeric value of theminimum value is displayed on the second display section 18 on theright. The numeric display is continued for one second and then it isautomatically returned to the character string display of “PhLd” and“bhLd.” After this, the sequence is repeated.

Fifth Display Mode

When the fifth display mode is selected, a fifth display information(tolerances of maximum value and the minimum value) is displayed on thefirst and second display sections. That is, in the fifth display mode,the numeric values of converting the maximum value and the minimum valueinto tolerance values are displayed on the first display section 17 andthe second display section 18. The tolerance value of the maximum valueis represented by the following expression:Tolerance of maximum value=maximum value/threshold value

The tolerance of the minimum value is represented by the followingexpression:Tolerance of minimum value=minimum value/threshold value

The tolerance value is displayed as a percentage on the fifth displaymode. That is, the tolerance displayed on the first and second displaysections 17 and 18 can be represented by the following expression:Tolerance of maximum value (%)=(maximum value/threshold value)×100Tolerance of minimum value (%)=(minimum value/threshold value)×100

Also on the fifth display mode like the fourth display mode describedabove, first the character strings “PhLd” and “bhLd” are displayed onlyfor about 0.25 seconds in the first and second display sections 17 and18, and then the displays are automatically switched. The numeric valueof the tolerance (%) of the maximum value is displayed on the firstdisplay section 17 and the numeric value of the tolerance (%) of theminimum value is displayed on the second display section 18. The numericdisplay is continued for one second and then it is automaticallyreturned to the character string display of “PhLd” and “bhLd.” Afterthis, the sequence is repeated. To point out explicitly that the numericvalues of the tolerance concerning the maximum value and the minimumvalue in the first and second display sections 17 and 18 are displayedas a percentage, each numeric value indicating the tolerance is followedby the letter “P” meaning percentage in the numeric display of the fifthdisplay mode.

The first to fifth display information and the contents displayed on thefirst display section 17 and the second display section 18 in each modeare listed below:

First display section 17 Second display section 18 First Numeric valueof Current light reception display threshold value amount informationSecond Tolerance (%) Current light reception display amount informationThird Bar display of Current light reception display tolerance amountinformation Fourth Numeric value of Numeric value of minimum displaymaximum value value information Fifth Tolerance of maximum Tolerance ofminimum display value (%) value (%) information

The setup threshold value can be adjusted by operating the swing-typeup/down key 21 on every display mode for the first to fifth displaymodes described above. The threshold value when operation of the up/downkey 21 is stopped is set as a new threshold value. If operation of theup/down key 21 is started on any of the third to fifth display modes,immediately the display mode is automatically switched to the seconddisplay mode. The second display mode is maintained during the operationof the up/down key 21. When operation of the up/down key 21 is stopped,the display mode is returned to the former display mode which was one ofthe third to fifth display modes.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for switching between the first display mode tothe fifth display mode in order. Now assuming that the display mode ofthe first and second display sections 17 and 18 is the first displaymode (threshold value and current light reception amount) (step S1), ifthe M key 23 is pressed, a transition is made from step S2 to step S3and the first display mode is switched to the second display mode (%display of tolerance and current light reception amount). Further, ifthe M key 23 is pressed on the second display mode, a transition is madefrom step S4 to step S5 and the second display mode is switched to thethird display mode (bar display of tolerance and current light receptionamount). Further, if the M key 23 is pressed on the third display mode,a transition is made from step S6 to step S7 and the third display modeis switched to the fourth display mode (numeric value of the maximumvalue and numeric value of the minimum value). Further, if the M key 23is pressed on the fourth display mode, a transition is made from step S8to step S9 and the fourth display mode is switched to the fifth displaymode (% display of tolerance of maximum value and % display of toleranceof minimum value). Further, if the M key 23 is pressed on the fifthdisplay mode, a return is made from step S10 to step S1 and the fifthdisplay mode is switched back to the first display mode.

Thus, the first to fifth display modes are switched in order, but may beswitched in any order. For example, the second display mode may beswitched to the fourth display mode with the third display mode skipped.The second and fourth display modes may be switched alternately with thethird display mode skipped. Likewise, the first and second display modesmay be switched alternately. If the M key 23 is pressed for a shorttime, the first to third display modes may be circulated. If the M key23 is pressed for a long time (for example, pressed continuously forthree seconds), immediately the display mode may be switched to thefourth or fifth display mode.

As described above, the tolerance and the current light reception amountare displayed at the same time on the second display mode and the thirddisplay mode. Thus, as the threshold value is adjusted on the seconddisplay mode, to finely adjust the threshold value in response to thedetection environment, the operator can immediately know the fact thatthe photoelectric switch is close to the performance limit to functionas a detection switch, for example, by visually checking that the lightreception amount is extremely small. Therefore, the worker can reassessthe detection environment and immediately improve it while adjusting thethreshold value. In the related art, it was not possible to optimize thethreshold value until the threshold value was determined through severaltrial and error procedures. On the other hand, according to thephotoelectric switch 100 of the embodiment, improvement of the detectionenvironment and optimization of the threshold value can be carried outefficiently.

When at least either of the first and second display sections 17 and 18is implemented as two-color LEDs, the worker may be aggressivelyinformed of the fact that the photoelectric switch is close to theperformance limit for functioning as a detection switch described aboveby displaying at least either of the first and second display sections17 and 18 in a different color from the normal color.

The maximum value and the minimum value of the light reception amountsare displayed at the same time on the fourth display mode and the fifthdisplay mode. Thus, the worker can visually check whether or not thelight reception amount difference is sufficient for detecting thepresence or absence of a detected object T even in a detectionenvironment where the detected object T moves at a high speed.

The invention has been described by taking the reflection-type andintegral-type photoelectric switch 100 comprising the optical fibers 14and 15 as an example. However, the invention can be applied to any otherphotoelectric switch comprising a dual display section. FIGS. 6, 8, 9,and 10 show other types of photoelectric switches each comprising a dualdisplay section by way of example. Elements similar to those of thephotoelectric switch 100 of the embodiment described above are denotedby the same reference numerals in FIGS. 6, 8, 9, and 10 and will not bediscussed again. The characteristics of the photoelectric switches shownin FIGS. 6, 8, 9, and 10 will be discussed.

FIG. 6 shows a photoelectric switch 200 of a laser type wherein a lightemission element and a light reception element (not shown in FIG. 6) areplaced on one end face of a casing 11. Light emitted from the lightemission element 12 is applied to a detected object T and reflectedlight is received directly by the light reception element 13. Thephotoelectric switch 200 adopts a semiconductor laser light emissionelement as the light emission element 12.

A first display section 17 and a second display section 18 are placedadjacent to each other in an up and down fashion on a top face 11 a ofthe casing 11 of the photoelectric switch 200. A bar type LED monitor40, a light emission indicator 41, a first hold mode indicator 42, and asecond hold mode indicator 43 are also placed on the top face 11 a ofthe casing 11. The above-mentioned swing-type threshold value adjustmentswitch 21 contained in the first embodiment is implemented as twoseparate key switches of an up key switch 44 and a down key switch 45.

The bar LED monitor 40 displays that the electric current valuecorresponding to the light reception amount received by the lightreception element 13 exists in a range of ±15% from a predeterminedvalue. When light is emitted from the light emission element 12, thelight emission indicator 41 is turned on. When light emission from thelight emission element 12 is stopped, the light emission indicator 41 isturned off. The first hold mode indicator 42 is turned on when a firsthold mode for holding the maximum value of the emission amount of lightreceived by the light reception element 13 is selected. The second holdmode indicator 43 is turned on when a second hold mode for holding theminimum value of the emission amount of light received by the lightreception element 13 is selected.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the laser-type photoelectric switch 200according to the second embodiment of the invention. The photoelectricswitch 200 in the second embodiment adopts the laser light emissionelement and thus comprises a power supply circuit 46 and a variablepower supply circuit 47. The photoelectric switch 200 also comprises alight emission circuit 48 for the bar type LED monitor 40.

FIG. 8 shows a photoelectric switch 300 of a reflection-type and aseparate-type according to a third embodiment of the invention. Thephotoelectric switch 300 includes a head unit 51 and a main unit 52. Thehead unit 51 includes a light emission element and a light receptionelement. The main unit 52 includes an amplifier, a CPU, etc. The headunit 51 and the main unit 52 are connected by a cable 53. First andsecond display sections 17 and 18 and an operation section 36 are placedon the main unit 52 of the photoelectric switch 300.

FIG. 9 is a modified example of the photoelectric switch 300 in FIG. 8,wherein the first and second display sections 17 and 18 are also placedon the head unit 51. In this case, the operation section 36 may also beplaced on the head unit 51, as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a photoelectric switch 400 of atransmission-type comprising a light emission head 60 and a lightreception head 61. In the transmission-type photoelectric switch 400shown in the figure, an operation section 36 and first and seconddisplay sections 17 and 18 are placed on a main unit (not shown). Thefirst and second display sections 17 and 18 may be placed on the lightemission head 60 or the light reception head 61. The operation section36 may also be placed on the light emission head 60 and/or the lightreception head 61.

The embodiments of the invention and the modified examples have beendescribed. It may also be made possible to switch the display of thephotoelectric switches 100 to 400 between a full display mode (“Full”mode) for displaying all of the first to fifth display information inFIG. 4 in order and a partial display mode (“Std” mode) for displayingonly the first and second information as shown surrounded by the dashedline in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4, if the user selects the full display mode, a full displayloop or cycle is formed wherein as the user presses the M key 23, thedisplay mode is switched from the first display mode to the seconddisplay mode, from the second display mode to the third display mode, .. . , from the fourth display mode to the fifth display mode and whenthe user further presses the M key 23, the display returns to the firstdisplay mode.

On the other hand, if the user selects the partial display mode, apartial display loop or cycle is formed wherein as the user presses theM key 23, the display is switched between the first display mode and thesecond display mode.

To select the partial display mode or the full display mode, a dedicatedswitch may be provided on the top face 11 a of the casing 11. Aselection display may be displayed on the first display section 17 andthe second display section 18 for the user to select the partial displaymode or the full display mode on the selection display. An example isshown in FIG. 11.

In FIG. 11, a sixth display mode is included in addition to the first tofifth display modes as seen in comparison with FIG. 4. When the sixthdisplay mode is selected, a sixth display information (a characterstring of “diSP” and character strings of “Std” and “Full”) is displayedon the first and second display sections. That is, on the sixth displaymode, a character string of “diSP” is displayed on the first displaysection on the left and character strings of “Std” and “Full” aredisplayed in order in the second display section 18 on the right as theup/down key 21 is operated. In FIG. 11, the character string “Std” inthe second display section 18 on the sixth display mode is surrounded byan ellipse. This ellipse means that “Std” is a blinking display. Thatis, “Std” or “Full” in the second display section 18 is a blinkingdisplay, thereby visually displaying that any other option is contained.

The character string “diSP” is short for display and it means thedisplay mode. The character string “Std” is short for standard and itmeans the partial display mode. The character string “Full” means thefull display mode.

The user operates the up/down key 21 to call the character string “Std”in the second display section 18 and then presses the M key 23, wherebythe display mode in the first and second display sections 17 and 18 isset to the partial display mode. In the partial display mode, a partialdisplay loop or cycle is formed wherein as the user presses the M key23, the display mode is switched from the first display mode to thesecond display mode and from the second display mode to the sixthdisplay mode and is returned from the sixth display mode to the firstdisplay mode. The user operates the up/down key 21 to call the characterstring “Full” in the second display section 18 and then presses the Mkey 23, whereby the display mode in the first and second displaysections 17 and 18 is set to the full display mode. In the full displaymode, a full display loop or cycle is formed wherein as the user pressesthe M key 23, the display mode is switched from the first display modeto the second display mode, from the second display mode to the thirddisplay mode, from the third display mode to the fourth display mode,from the fourth display mode to the fifth display mode, and from thefifth display mode to the sixth display mode. When the user furtherpresses the M key 23, the display returns from the sixth display mode tothe first display mode.

As for the display in bar form in the first display section 17 on thethird display mode shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 12, fourseven-segment elements 71 to 74 may be grouped into the left and right,and four longitudinal segments 71 a, 71 b, 72 a, and 72 b at lowerpositions (or upper positions) of the right two seven-segment elements71 and 72 may be used and four longitudinal segments 73 a, 73 b, 74 a,and 74 b at upper positions (or lower positions) of the left twoseven-segment elements 73 and 74 may be used for producing the bardisplay for showing the tolerance.

By using the bar display form in FIG. 12, the magnitude of the tolerancecan be known, for example, by emitting light to the longitudinalsegments at the left positions in order with an increase in thetolerance starting at the right longitudinal segment 71 a. From the factthat in the two intermediate seven-segment elements 72 and 73, thelongitudinal segment 72 b at the left of the right seven-segment element72 and the longitudinal segment 73 a at the right of the leftseven-segment element 73 are spaced apart up and down, the userrecognizes that the threshold value exists therebetween. That is, thelongitudinal segments for the lower parts of the right two seven-segmentelements 71 and 72 and the longitudinal segments for the upper parts ofthe left two seven-segment elements 73 and 74 are used. Thus adifference in level (the position difference between up and down)appears on the bar indicating the tolerance extending from the right toleft and this informs the operator that the level difference is thethreshold value level.

It is to be understood that although the present invention has beendescribed with regard to preferred embodiments thereof, various otherembodiments and variants may occur to those skilled in the art, whichare within the scope and spirit of the invention, and such otherembodiments and variants are intended to be covered by the followingclaims.

The text of Japanese priority application no. 2001-073338 filed Mar. 15,2001 is hereby incorporated by reference.

1. A photoelectric switch comprising: a casing having an elongatedrectangular top surface; and a first and a second display sectionsdisposed side by side on the top surface of the casing along alengthwise direction thereof; wherein the first and the second displaysections display at least one of a first display information and asecond display information, the first display information includes athreshold value displayed on the first display section and a currentlight reception amount displayed on the second display section, and thesecond display information includes a tolerance value displayed on oneof the first and the second display sections and at least one of thetolerance value and the current light reception amount displayed on theother of the first and second display sections.
 2. The photoelectricswitch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a threshold valueadjusting switch provided on the top surface of the casing at an endpart of the top surface of the casing in the lengthwise directionthereof.
 3. The photoelectric switch as claimed in claim 2, furthercomprising: an output on/off indicator provided on the top surface ofthe casing opposite the end part of the top surface of the casing wherethe threshold value adjusting switch is provided.
 4. The photoelectricswitch as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a switch for switchingbetween the first and the second display information displayed on thefirst and the second display sections provided on the top surface. 5.The photoelectric switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the firstdisplay information is numerically displayed in a plurality of digits onthe first and the second display sections.
 6. The photoelectric switchas claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second display sectionsdisplay a third display information, the third information includes amaximum current light reception amount displayed on one of the first andthe second display sections and a minimum current light reception amountdisplayed on the other of the first and second display sections.
 7. Thephotoelectric switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current lightreception amount is displayed on the other of the first and seconddisplay sections as the second display information.
 8. The photoelectricswitch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second displaysections numerically display in a plurality of digits.
 9. Thephotoelectric switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and thesecond display sections display the plurality of digits in a lengthwisedirection of the display sections respectively, and the first and thesecond display sections are disposed so that the lengthwise direction ofthe display sections is parallel to the lengthwise direction of the topsurface.
 10. The photoelectric switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein atleast one of the first and second display sections display at least oneof a tolerance of a maximum value and a minimum value.
 11. Thephotoelectric switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and seconddisplay sections are disposed adjacent to each other so as to bepositioned side by side on one face of the casing.
 12. The photoelectricswitch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photoelectric switch is aseparate-type photoelectric switch including a head unit for emittinglight to an object to be detected and receiving light from the object,and a main unit for processing light received from the head unit, andwherein the first and second display sections are disposed on at leastone of the head unit and the main unit.
 13. The photoelectric switch asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said photoelectric switch is atransmission-type photoelectric switch including a light emission headfor emitting light to an object to be detected, a light reception headfor receiving light from the object, and a main unit for processing thereceived light from the light reception head, wherein the first andsecond display sections are disposed on at least one of the lightemission head, the light reception head, and the main unit.
 14. Aphotoelectric switch comprising: a casing having an elongatedrectangular top surface; and a first and a second display sectionsdisposed side by side on the top surface of the casing along alengthwise direction thereof; wherein the first and the second displaysections display at least one of a first display information and asecond display information, the first display information includes athreshold value displayed on the first display section and a currentlight reception amount displayed on the second display section, and thesecond display information includes a maximum current light receptionamount displayed on one of the first and the second display sections anda minimum current light reception amount displayed on the other of thefirst and second display sections.
 15. The photoelectric switch asclaimed in claim 14, further comprising: a threshold value adjustingswitch provided on the top surface of the casing at an end part of thetop surface of the casing in the lengthwise direction thereof.
 16. Thephotoelectric switch as claimed in claim 15, further comprising: anoutput on/off indicator provided on the top surface of the casingopposite the end part of the top surface of the casing where thethreshold value adjusting switch is provided.
 17. The photoelectricswitch as claimed in claim 16, further comprising: a switch forswitching between the first and the second display information displayedon the first and the second display sections provided on the topsurface.
 18. The photoelectric switch as claimed in claim 14, whereinthe first display information is numerically displayed in a plurality ofdigits on the first and the second display sections.
 19. Thephotoelectric switch as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of thefirst and second display sections display at least one of a tolerance ofa maximum value and a minimum value.
 20. The photoelectric switch asclaimed in claim 14, wherein the first and second display sections aredisposed adjacent to each other so as to be positioned side by side onone face of the casing.
 21. The photoelectric switch as claimed in claim14, wherein said photoelectric switch is a separate-type photoelectricswitch including a head unit for emitting light to an object to bedetected and receiving light from the object, and a main unit forprocessing light received from the head unit, and wherein the first andsecond display sections are disposed on at least one of the head unitand the main unit.
 22. The photoelectric switch as claimed in claim 14,wherein said photoelectric switch is a transmission-type photoelectricswitch including a light emission head for emitting light to an objectto be detected, a light reception head for receiving light from theobject, and a main unit for processing the received light from the lightreception head, wherein the first and second display sections aredisposed on at least one of the light emission head, the light receptionhead, and the main unit.